Tango & Love - The journey of Maha
Love & Tango
It all started with Love.
I started a whole new life in November 2019. I got engaged to the man of my dreams, moved to a new state, and started finding my way around Los Angeles. As I began that journey of discovery, I also, without realizing, began my journey in tango.
When my fiance and I reconnected after 10 years in 2018, he shared with me his interest for Tango. Tango brought him so much joy. As he navigated the dance floor through the vals, the ocho, paradas, and the cabeceo, he learned not just the art of the dance, but about himself.
In the beginning, my interest just stayed within his experience. I loved to hear the stories from his trip to Buenos Aires with Makela and the rest of his tango friends. His excitement for being able to dance at real milongas, among and with some of the best dancers. It brought me closer to him, and again without realizing, closer to Tango.
My first introduction to Tango was a beautiful blue dress. I was given this tango dress for my birthday, so I could wear it to the dance class that we were going to take during the Valentine’s day weekend. Following the dress, was my first experience of Tango. Valentine’s day weekend came around, and I started to feel nervous. I had never danced in this capacity before, and knowing the level of experience my partner had, I started to feel so self-conscious and anxious. We got to the class and were greeted with so much warmth by Makela. She made sure I felt welcomed and comfortable from the very beginning. That is where my connection to it all continued to grow.
I went into the class thinking I was not good, or good enough, that negative dialogue made me very anxious, but once I started dancing and took instruction, I began to relax, just a little. Tango came to me in little bits and pieces, until opportunity came knocking on my door. As 2020 began, my life all of a sudden had more passion and more opportunities, and more Tango.
This year I have decided to commit to the study of Tang through my body and my feelings. Tango connects me in a wayI have never experienced before: first, I open up with being with myself, and another person. Second,I have allowed myself to get out of my head and stay in the moment with my lead.
It is so difficult to connect with people sometimes, but in Tango, we are all one. The oneness creates a space of togetherness and that environment is so crucial to developing strong minds and bodies, ideas and theories. The connections allow us to feel like we are a part of something, something outside of ourselves. By dancing with different leads, I get to learn about different life experiences, which add to mine. There aren't any further motives in Tango, everyone is there to better their skill or just to have fun. I know for me, that space is one of letting go. I let go of my day and my stressors for those moments. I get to focus on my movement and my connection with my dance partner. I get to dance with my fiance, especially when the events of the week keep us away from our center. I think it helps me build upon and deepen the relationship I have with my fiance, and I am extremely grateful for that.
I am also very grateful for Makela. She is someone who creates a space where everyone thrives. Where people are seen and heard, and welcomed. I see her interactions, they are authentic and kind. She allows everyone to express themselves, not only through their words, but through their dance. I really enjoy working with her, both on and off the dance floor. I admire her worth ethic, her perspective, and her motivation. She’s challenging without being harsh, she lets the dancers figure out their own way to Tango. I think I am one of the luckiest people to have the opportunity to learn Tango with Makela. I get a lot of feedback from seasoned dancers, they all say the same thing: “Makela, she is one of the best”.
As time goes on, I have one simple wish for my journey in Tango. I wish to continue opening up to Tango, to keep opening up to myself, and to be able to hold space for my fellow Tangueros and Tangueras.
By Maha Kazim